Saturn Sky

Saturn Sky

Manufacturer	General Motors
Also called	Opel GT Daewoo G2X
Production	2006–2009
Model years	2007–2009
Assembly	Wilmington, Delaware, United States Bupyeong-gu, Incheon, South Korea
Class	Sports car
Body style	2-door convertible
Layout	FR layout
Platform	GM Kappa platform
Engine	2.4 L LE5 I4 2.0 L LNF I4
Transmission	5-speed Aisin AR5 manual 5-speed 5L40-E automatic
Wheelbase	95.1 in (2,416 mm)
Length	161.1 in (4,092 mm)[1]
Width	71.4 in (1,814 mm)
Height	50.2 in (1,275 mm)
Curb weight	2,940 lb (1,330 kg)
Related	Pontiac Solstice
Designer	Franz von Holzhausen

The Saturn Sky was the only roadster from the Saturn marque of American automaker General Motors, and was initially released in the first quarter of 2006 as a 2007 model. It uses the Kappa automobile platform shared with the Pontiac Solstice and Opel GT. The Sky concept was shown at the 2005 North American International Auto Show, with the production version following at the 2006 show. It was built at GM's Wilmington, Delaware plant, alongside the Solstice and the Opel GT. The Sky features 18 inch (457 mm) wheels and a 2.4 L Ecotec LE5 straight-4 engine that produces 177 hp (132 kW), a new straight-4 2.0 L direct injected engine that makes 260 hp (194 kW) as well as a turbocharged (dealer upgrade kit) version that makes 290 hp (216 kW). Both five-speed manual and automatic transmissions are available.

The styling for the Sky, penned by Franz von Holzhausen, is based on the Vauxhall VX Lightning Concept's design. It is available in some European markets as the Opel GT. A rebadged version named the Daewoo G2X was unveiled as a concept vehicle for the South Korean market in 2006. The production version was released in September 2007. The Solstice, Sky, and GT were built in Delaware, as was the G2X until 2008. The aggressive styling garnered praise as a welcome departure from traditional Saturn design. The interior, however, was tight.^[2]

The Wilmington Assembly plant closed in July 2009, ending production as both the Pontiac and Saturn nameplates were retired.^[3].

Red Line

Saturn Sky Red Line

A Red Line model of the Sky was introduced on April 11, 2006 at the New York Auto Show. It uses the same 260 hp (194 kW) turbocharged Ecotec engine as the Solstice GXP and Opel GT, as well as the same standard 5-speed Aisin manual transmission. An automatic transmission is optional.

The Red Line receives a standard torque-sensing limited-slip differential, standard StabiliTrak stability control, and an enhanced sport suspension over the standard Sky (currently available as a dealer-add on for regular Skys). Other exterior enhancements include dual exhausts, 18 inch wheels, and a specific front fascia modeled for the Red Line. On the inside the Red Line will receive a special leather wrapped steering wheel with audio controls, special embroidery on the seats and floormats, metallic door sill covers and stainless steel pedals, special tachometer and gauges, and a digital boost gauge in the Driver Information Center.

Prices start at $29,795 for the Red Line model, which started shipping in the third quarter of 2006.

Models

Trim	Engine	Power	Torque	Transmission
Base	2.4 L LE5 I4	177 hp (132 kW)	170 lb·ft (230 N·m)	5-speed Aisin AR-5 manual, or 5-speed GM 5L40-E automatic)
Red Line	2.0 L LNF I4	260 hp (194 kW)	260 lb·ft (353 N·m)
Red Line with Turbo Upgrade Kit	2.0 L LNF I4	290 hp (216 kW)	340 lb·ft (461 N·m) (MT) 325 lb·ft (441 N·m) (AT)

Specifications

Base model specifications:

• 0-60 mph (97 km/h): 7.3 seconds
• 0-100 mph (160 km/h): 21.9 seconds
• 1/4 mile: 15.9 seconds @ 93 mph (150 km/h)
• Top speed: 135.5 mph (218 km/h)
• 70 mph (110 km/h)-0 mph braking: 174 ft (53 m)
• 300 ft (91 m) skidpad: 0.86 g
• EPA fuel economy: 19 mpg_-US (12 L/100 km; 23 mpg_-imp) city/25 mpg_-US (9.4 L/100 km; 30 mpg_-imp) highway

Red Line specifications:

• 0-60 mph (97 km/h): 5.5 seconds
• 0-100 mph (160 km/h): 14.7 seconds
• 1/4 mile: 13.9 seconds @ 100 mph (161 km/h)
• Top speed: 141 mph (227 km/h)
• 70 mph (110 km/h)-0 mph braking: 168 ft (51 m)
• 300 ft (91 m) skidpad: 0.90 g
• EPA fuel economy: 19 mpg_-US (12 L/100 km; 23 mpg_-imp) city/28 mpg_-US (8.4 L/100 km; 34 mpg_-imp) highway

Production by model year

Model Year	Total Saturn Sky Production[4]
2007	16,567
2008	13,662
2009	4,178
2010	8
Total	34,415

Yearly American sales

Calendar Year	Total American sales
2006[5]	8,671
2007	11,263
2008[6]	9,162
2009[7]	3,399

See also

• Pontiac Solstice
• Vauxhall VX220 and Opel Speedster, the European-market predecessors, both based on the Lotus Elise and built by Lotus Cars.

References

1. ^ Newbury, Stephen. The Car Design Yearbook 4. Merrell. 
2. ^ Newbury, Stephen. The Car Design Yearbook 4. Merrell. 
3. ^ "GM Pulls Ahead U.S. Plant Closures; Reaffirms Intent to Build Future Small Car in U.S.". GM Media Online. http://media.gm.com/servlet/GatewayServlet?target=http://image.emerald.gm.com/gmnews/viewpressreldetail.do?domain=827&docid=54632. Retrieved 2009-06-01. ^{[dead link]}
4. ^ "General Motors: Investors: Sales and Production Reports: Historical Production". GM. 2009-07-10. http://www.gm.com/corporate/investor_information/sales_prod/hist_prod.jsp. Retrieved 2009-09-27. 
5. ^ "GM Media Online". Media.gm.com. 2007-01-03. http://media.gm.com/servlet/GatewayServlet?target=http://image.emerald.gm.com/gmnews/viewmonthlyreleasedetail.do?domain=6&docid=31596. Retrieved 2009-05-01. ^{[dead link]}
6. ^ "GM Media Online". Media.gm.com. 2009-01-05. http://media.gm.com/servlet/GatewayServlet?target=http://image.emerald.gm.com/gmnews/viewpressreldetail.do?domain=2&docid=51161. Retrieved 2009-05-01. ^{[dead link]}
7. ^ http://media.gm.com/content/Pages/news/us/en/2010/Jan/0105_Dec_Sales/_jcr_content/iconrow/textfile/file.res/Deliveries%20December%2009.xls

External links

• Official website